bigdamnhero

Whenever players use anything, within the rules, that makes it difficult for me or takes a style I dont want in the game I tell them.  If that changes nothing then I tell them that if they continue to use that tactic, then I too will use it.
 
When the tables are turned they hate that used against them,  It wasn't CV abuses for me, it was poison in an early RuneQuest game.  They used it all the time until their opponents began to use it all the time.  After several player characters died because of poisoned blades, they complained that it was not realistic for everyone to use poison all the time.  I replied that it was not realistic for them to use poison all the time.  They were using it for purely tactical advantage and therefore it was fine for me to use it too.
 
I told them that if they foreswore the use of poison except for particular purposes then I would not use it unless their opponent was particularly evil.  The use of poison would donote that inclination.  :-)
 
This was a learning step for me and my players.  No major arguments but mutual agreement not to be too extreme about useful aspects of the game and coming to a mutual understanding.
 
For the Kobold player, I would ensure that he was almost constantly faced with opponents who were also small enough to get the DCV bonus and also utilised the defensive benefits of the combat system so that their combats were a frustrating miss, miss, miss, miss, miss, miss while everyone else got on with the business of fighting properly.  It would be easier to mop up the kobold if he was isolated and his opponents worked tactically to attack him as a team - make him dive for cover with someone else waiting to target him on the same segment while he was prone...  :-)
 
 
Doc

This really does seem to be a binary thing with Hero gamers: our brains are only capable of holding one method of calculating To Hit. For some people, [Roll = 11+OCV-DCV] makes perfect sense and [11+OCV-Roll=DCV] is completely confusing; for others, it's the other way around. I think the [Roll = 11+OCV-DCV] tends to be more popular among people who've been playing Hero longer (After all, that was the only way to do it until 5ed introduced the "alternate" method.) That was how my brain was wired for 20+ years, and it made perfect sense. Then I tried the [11+OCV-Roll=DCV] method, found it much easier...and now my brain has trouble going back to the old way.
 
I would say I find the [11+OCV-Roll=DCV] method much easier to explain to new players, partly because it's closer to the way To Hit is calculated in most RPGs. To simplify it more: I pre-add the 11+OCV and write that on the character sheet as the "Attack Roll." Then the formula just becomes:
 
Attack Roll +/- any Bonuses/Penalties – 3d6  =  DCV hit
 
It helps that this is essentially the same mechanic used for Skill/Characteristic Rolls, so they really only have to learn one: "Take this number, subtract 3d6, and tell me how much you make/miss it by."

...Use sparingly. If the players get the idea that no matter how much ass they kick, you're going to just "cheat" and throw something heavier at them, the conclusion they're likely to draw is "Wow, this guy is a dick!" and find a new GM.  
To a point, yes. Letting the players know they can earn as many (or more) XP by avoiding a fight is great - and is something that D&D/Pathfinder-school gamers may need to be reminded of. But giving out 0 XP because the players didn't do things the way you wanted them to? I'd be looking for another GM.  
Sorry to be so blunt; maybe that's not what you meant. But this comes across as exactly the sort of heavy-handed, adversarial "It's MY game and the players are my chess pieces" style of GMing that I freakin HATE. Roleplaying is supposed to be a collaborate experience.

Amen! I always use simplified character sheets that focus on playability and leave out most of the math. (You need to know AP cost for Adjustment Powers, but most of the other numbers are irrelevant once play starts.) If I need to reference the mechanics in mid-session, I can always pull up the HD file for reference.
 
Yeah, that's always a challenge when introducing players that are used to D&D/Pathfinder/et.al.  A few thoughts:
One advantage of most class/level systems is that combat and noncombat abilities are segregated to an extent and don't really "compete" with each other: you go up a level and your combat stats go up by "x" and you have "y" points for skills, etc. But in Hero, every point you put into, say, languages is literally one less point you have for combat skills. That can really encourage min-maxing if the players get focused on that rather than on building three dimensional character. One way to counter that is to start with the "tell me about your character concept" discussion before anyone goes near actual mechanics; get them thinking about their character as a character first, rather than a collection of stats. Be absolutely clear that the maximums include skill levels & bonuses, not just the base, and that you will be very stingy about granting exceptions. In fact, you may want to call them "parameters" or something instead, since guidelines implies optional adherence. One trick I've seen is to ask each player "what is your character the best at?" and allow them to exceed the guidelines in that one area only. So if the character's concept is "strongest man in the room" then he's allowed a STR that maxes out or exceeds the guidelines, but he couldn't also buy his OCV or INT above the guidelines. Then if another player wants a STR above the guidelines (initially or with later XP) you can play the "I'm concerned you're going to step on Bob's Strongest Man schtick" card. I have sometimes required that PCs put a minimum number of points (typically 10) into Background Skills. I don't have to worry about this with my current group of players (Thanks guys!), but for some players it really forces them to think about their character as a person. And they don't have to worry about putting themselves at a disadvantage by "wasting" those points, because everyone has to do the same thing. Don't forget the "min" half of min-maxing: occasionally put the characters in situations where they're put at a disadvantage for having below-average abilities. You don't have to be a dick about it - in fact, you can sometimes play it for laughs to the players don't feel you're picking on them. And you don't want to overdo it, unless you really want all your PCs to trend toward the middle of the bell curve. But at least once in awhile, highlight the fact that choosing to minimize certain areas will put them at a disadvantage. Lastly, few things are more frustrating as a player than to have your combat monkey sitting on the sidelines for 2 hours watching the more well-rounded characters handle the interact-and-investigate phase. So when a player drafts an all combat PC, say "I see this game as including a fair amount of investigation and interacting with NPCs outside of combat. I'm not sure what this character will have to do during those scenes, and I don't want you to be bored. How do you see your character contributing in between fights?" The catch here is, are they playing that way because that's all they know? Or because that really is what they like to play? Part of the GM-Player contract is that you'll do your best to run a game that everyone will enjoy (including yourself of course). It may be they're used to games where points in noncombat skills are essentially wasted, in which case you need to reiterate that not all problems in your campaign will be solvable by fighting, and then reward them when they use those skills.
 
On the other hand, it may be that they really just want to play a series of combats and regard everything in between as filler. If that's the game they really want to play, trying to change their style of play can be an exercise in frustration for everyone! I point to the comic Full Frontal Nerdity, where the GM is always trying to run these thematic, role-play heavy games with lots of character interaction and drama...but his players just want to kill things and get more powerful. And after every game, he's surprised and disappointed that the players didn't play it the way he wanted them to. That's a fundamental disconnect that in real life will kill a game group quicker than anything. So have that conversation up front and find a middle ground that everyone can live with.

Amen! I always use simplified character sheets that focus on playability and leave out most of the math. (You need to know AP cost for Adjustment Powers, but most of the other numbers are irrelevant once play starts.) If I need to reference the mechanics in mid-session, I can always pull up the HD file for reference.
 
Yeah, that's always a challenge when introducing players that are used to D&D/Pathfinder/et.al.  A few thoughts:
One advantage of most class/level systems is that combat and noncombat abilities are segregated to an extent and don't really "compete" with each other: you go up a level and your combat stats go up by "x" and you have "y" points for skills, etc. But in Hero, every point you put into, say, languages is literally one less point you have for combat skills. That can really encourage min-maxing if the players get focused on that rather than on building three dimensional character. One way to counter that is to start with the "tell me about your character concept" discussion before anyone goes near actual mechanics; get them thinking about their character as a character first, rather than a collection of stats. Be absolutely clear that the maximums include skill levels & bonuses, not just the base, and that you will be very stingy about granting exceptions. In fact, you may want to call them "parameters" or something instead, since guidelines implies optional adherence. One trick I've seen is to ask each player "what is your character the best at?" and allow them to exceed the guidelines in that one area only. So if the character's concept is "strongest man in the room" then he's allowed a STR that maxes out or exceeds the guidelines, but he couldn't also buy his OCV or INT above the guidelines. Then if another player wants a STR above the guidelines (initially or with later XP) you can play the "I'm concerned you're going to step on Bob's Strongest Man schtick" card. I have sometimes required that PCs put a minimum number of points (typically 10) into Background Skills. I don't have to worry about this with my current group of players (Thanks guys!), but for some players it really forces them to think about their character as a person. And they don't have to worry about putting themselves at a disadvantage by "wasting" those points, because everyone has to do the same thing. Don't forget the "min" half of min-maxing: occasionally put the characters in situations where they're put at a disadvantage for having below-average abilities. You don't have to be a dick about it - in fact, you can sometimes play it for laughs to the players don't feel you're picking on them. And you don't want to overdo it, unless you really want all your PCs to trend toward the middle of the bell curve. But at least once in awhile, highlight the fact that choosing to minimize certain areas will put them at a disadvantage. Lastly, few things are more frustrating as a player than to have your combat monkey sitting on the sidelines for 2 hours watching the more well-rounded characters handle the interact-and-investigate phase. So when a player drafts an all combat PC, say "I see this game as including a fair amount of investigation and interacting with NPCs outside of combat. I'm not sure what this character will have to do during those scenes, and I don't want you to be bored. How do you see your character contributing in between fights?" The catch here is, are they playing that way because that's all they know? Or because that really is what they like to play? Part of the GM-Player contract is that you'll do your best to run a game that everyone will enjoy (including yourself of course). It may be they're used to games where points in noncombat skills are essentially wasted, in which case you need to reiterate that not all problems in your campaign will be solvable by fighting, and then reward them when they use those skills.
 
On the other hand, it may be that they really just want to play a series of combats and regard everything in between as filler. If that's the game they really want to play, trying to change their style of play can be an exercise in frustration for everyone! I point to the comic Full Frontal Nerdity, where the GM is always trying to run these thematic, role-play heavy games with lots of character interaction and drama...but his players just want to kill things and get more powerful. And after every game, he's surprised and disappointed that the players didn't play it the way he wanted them to. That's a fundamental disconnect that in real life will kill a game group quicker than anything. So have that conversation up front and find a middle ground that everyone can live with.

I'd suggest first running a one-shot game using pre-gen characters. (I run a lot of convention games, so I have a decent library of one-shots to choose from; if you don't, just throw together something simple or buy/download a module from somewhere.) I love character generation in Hero, but it can be pretty overwhelming to newcomers - so skip it! Start out by showing them how simple the game plays once you have the character created. By the end of one 4-6 hour adventure, they'll have a pretty good idea what the stats mean and how the system works. Then the next session you go into "tell me about your character" mod and help them translate that into game elements, but they'll already have some sense of, say, the difference between OCV and PD.
 
When I run convention games, I get at least one Hero novice per con, and it's not unusual to get a complete RPG novice now and then. I start by giving a (by now well-rehearsed) 5-minute tour of the character sheet: here's what the Characteristics mean, here are your Skills, here's how the Skill Roll core mechanic, etc. Then when we get to the first combat, I have another 3-5 minute spiel on the basics of combat. Most players, that's really all they need to get going.

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
Finally a real QOTW:
 
Weeks ago the hero team was encourage to spend points
on "Team" gear, espcially ways to communicate.
 
In the heat of the battle, the mindlink goes
down and Ohm the Energy Projector
tries to call up Arbiter the Mystic.
 
no dice. Ohm: "Didnt you get a radio yet ? "
 
Arbiter: "As I walk the halls of the Vishanti, many voices
of all shapes and colors reach out to me with many aromas.
I find it difficult to respond to all of them,
so I maintain my silence."

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
From yesterday's Pulp game:
 
"There's a perfectly rational explanation! I have no idea what it is, but there has to be one!"
 
"Hmm... maybe standing behind the skeleton that [another PC] is shooting at wasn't my best tactical decision ever."
 
GM: "What are you doing?"
Me: "I'm chatting up Simone (a French Femme Fatale PC), and she's trying to ignore me."
[simone player mimes blowing cigarette smoke in my face]
 
Player: "What's his name?"
GM: "Uh... [flip, flip] 'Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Module.'"
 
And last but not least...
 
"You see Ted Danson being held at knifepoint by two gummy bears."
Explaining the context would only spoil it.
 
 
bigdamnhero
“On my planet there is a saying -- the man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken.”
“Life expectancy must be fairly short among your people.”

Re: The Things I've Learned Playing A Mentalist
 

 
Make that BOECV, Ranged EGO Transfer!
A mere 37 points a die... but worth it?
 
Only 25 points per d6 on the ranged, BOECV Ego Drain...
 
Wait...
 
I have it...
 
for a mere 37/56 points per d6...
 
Ego Drain/Transfer, AE Selective Radius, Ranged, BOECV
 
Then, you can wipe the egos of masses of people, all at once!
 
Moo-ha-ha-ha

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 

Careful - next time your players have to Save The World, they might decide it's not worth saving.

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
Calling Dr. Anomaly! Quotes needed from you immediately to prevent thread derailment! This is not a drill! I repeat, this is not a drill! You are needed in this thread! Stat!

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
Attention, Central Control. There appears to be a political discussion on the tracks. Thread derailment imminent. I repeat, thread derailment imminent.

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
A few from last week's fantasy game:
 
GM: "You need to be funnier."
Other Player: "He's a lizardman wearing a toga - how much funnier does he need to be?"
 
GM: "OK, so it's you and the three rogues..."
Me: "I keep one hand on my wallet, and the other hand on...my wallet."
 
Shortly thereafter: "I'd trust him with my life. Just not with my wallet."
 
"Is it too late to flash-bang the room?"
"It's NEVER too late to flash-bang the room!"
(Yes, I did say this was fantasy...)
 
This last one requires a bit of context: one of the PCs is a lizardman who typically fights unarmed, and does not normally wear clothes because they "cramp his style." My PC is a female lizardman, leading to the following OOC exchange:
 
"What's your COM?"

"Maybe you should wear clothes..."

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
In my new campaign, the characters are associates of Revenant, who is a Batman-like hero. One character is Goblyn, his teen-aged sidekick, and the other is Jade Spectre, grand-daughter of Fu Manchu.
 
Goblyn and Jade Spectre have both recently arrived on the scene of a bank job in probress. Goblyn finds a position on a nearby rooftop from which he can observe. Jade Spectre arrived independantly, and made a fantastic Perception roll to spot Goblyn.
 
Jade makes a killer Stealth roll, and glides up behind Goblyn while hes peering through his mini-binoculars.
 
...."Two on the roof, on opposite corners." Jade says.
 
Goblyn, startled, said "Gyaaaah! Cant you ever make some noise when you walk?"
 
Jade gets a thoughtful expression, has a contemplative look on her face, and then says
 
".......No."
 

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 

 
It was far less than I suspected, truth be told. His character has Unrequitted Love for Countess X, Oath of Fealty: Countess X, Code of Chivalry, and Rivalry Countess X's Husband, Social Limitation: Bastard, and Reputation: Paper Baron and Bastard Knight. Since the opening of the game the rivalry and the fact that he's in love with his liege have been played up on both of our parts. And the character has turned out to be religious and is struggling with both his desire to eliminate the husband and his passion for another man's wife in a big way.
 
However, he's just been elevated to be a Baron and is now leagues away from the Countess' Castle. He has three or four other immediate problems on his plate, and knows that, with the Countess in the running for the throne, that she is in the center of the intrigue swirling around the upcoming succession crisis. He isn't very well established and cannot afford to do anything stupid if he's to do his job. Now, in one post he learned Countess X's husband struck her during a major row they had over his appointment as baron and received two letters from her (I wrote both before starting the scene, but he played right into it):
 
1) very formal and businesslike - but it informs him she will be wintering at one of her more out of the way holdings (political reasons), but its also very close to the place he will be going to purchase horses for the troop he is raising. He deduced the political reasons with impressive exactness, but also made a deal about the character wishing she was going there to facilitate a romantic liaison with him (and also did the self-flaggelation thing over such sinful thoughts!).
 
Then he gets...
 
2) very personal - informs him of the row, but not the blow - and that her husband has withdrawn to one of his manors until spring. In it she mentions that the upper crust has been propogating some scandalous rumors about how he got his new post and muses that she wishes they were true. She also asks if he remembers the old garden bench (which is where they shared their only doomed kiss the day before her wedding six years before).
 
Ahem...
 
I haven't seen his reply, but between his Code of Chivalry and Oath of Fealty and Religious streak, and his Passionate Unrequitted Love and near violent Rivalry with the husband- the character is being twisted around like taffy. And the player knows it. He's really into the story and I have a feeling he's been pacing. Does he ride off to challenge the husband to a duel (imagine how that would look with all those rumors swirling about)? Does he leave the husband be, but fall prey to temptation when he goes to buy horses and fall from grace leading to massive self-hatred and angst? And what if the duel breaks out after he (presumably) cuckolds the husband? Can he truly feel like the good guy if he wins?
 
Its all so... Soap Opera!
 
The logs can be found at the link in the Chronicles of Counter Harn thread in the Fantasy Hero Forum.

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 

Favorite quotes from GenghisCon:


 
From my Champions game:
 
Illuminatus, the mystic (played by Bill Keyes): “It’s DARK SORCERY!”
Other player: “You said that when your hamburger came back underdone.”
 
 
Later, Illuminatus confronts Madame Diamond, a well-known celebrity psychic (think Shirley Maclaine meets Madame Cleo), who he’s convinced is a total fraud:
Madame Diamond: “DARK SORCERY is at work!”
Illuminatus: “Well...yeah okay.”
Madame Diamond: “We’re all in terrible danger!”
Illuminatus: “...Allright, I’ll give you that one, but...”
Madame Diamond: “And you need mystical protection.”
Iron Maiden: “Dude, she sounds just like you.”
 
 
Magnetica, a female PC (run by a very attractive female player) is searching an actress’ trailer for clues, but badly blows her PER roll. The player decides she got distracted by the actress’ lingere drawer.
Magnetica: “Ooo, she’s got some really nice stuff in here.” [Mimes holding up a teddie] “This would look great on me.”
GM: “You’re taller than she is; it’s a little short on you.”
Magnetica: “I don’t see that as a problem.”
The male players (and the GM) had a little trouble focusing on the scenario after that.
 
 
From BunnySue’s Pulp game:
 
As the goons with guns enter:
“I think you can get those 5 for a dollar at Wal-Mart.”
“The guns or the goons?”
 
 
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle (played by Yours Truly), who’s been forced into “civilized” clothes for a big reception:
“How am I supposed to fight in this? I can barely walk?”
Jane Greystoke: “Running in high heels is easy. *Stopping* in high heels is hard.”
 
 
After the GM’s description of the evil priestess in the chainmail bikini:
Player 1: “So can I assume she’s not wearing any armor?”
Player 2: [looking at the miniature] “If she is, it’s got one hell of an activation roll.”
 
 
From my Future Pulp SH game:
 
From the GM (me) as my laptop fails to boot up:
“Okay, we’re going to be doing some improvisation. More than usual, that is.”
 
 
From a 7-year-old player, after reading his character’s background:
“I grew up on the streets?” [pause] “COOOL!”
 
 
Same player, after the PCs contemptuously bat aside all my surface-to-air missiles (which in my playtests, blew up their ship every time):
“That’s it? Shoot some more missiles, it’s fun.”
 
 
Ghost-Angel: “I’m a pulp heroine who just got knocked out; it doesn’t get more genre than that.”
 
 
From Bill Keyes’ Arabian Nights FH game:
 
 
Following one-too-many Star Wars references:
Me: “Let’s stay in this universe, it’s better written.”
Darnet: “And none of us are CGI.”
JCFiala: [raises hand] “I am.”
 
 
Bad Guy: “You hurt me!”
Ghost-Angel: “Don’t be evil.”
 
 
As we prepare to assault the castle of my father, the Evil Sorceror:
Player: “I think you have some parental issues.”
Me: “Not for long...”
 
 
As we burst into the villain’s throne room:
Villain: “I’m on the throne, do you mind?”
 
 
From Bill’s Teen Titans game:
 
A young girl was playing Raven, whose character sheet included the Disad “Freaky Goth Chick.” That player’s mother – who IS a Freaky Goth Chick – looks over and says “Hey, who says that’s a disadvantage?”
 
 
Me: “So am I really the only one in this room who’s never seen the cartoon?”
Other Player: “And you call yourself a geek.”
 
Following a really effective coordinated attack:
"Wow, teamwork really pays off."
"And that, kids, is the moral of today's story..."
 
 
From an Arcanis (fantasy) game:
 
Following a REALLY good tracking roll:
“...and it has a poison bite. And black eyes.” Skeptical looks from the players. “OK, I suppose you couldn't get that from a tracking roll.”
 
 
“The fact that they spotted us tells me they have magic.”
“Really? The fact that they blew apart the tower with huge freaking lightning bolts tells ME they have magic.”
 
 
Various:
 
“If I was that cool, then I’d be that cool. But I’m not that cool.”
 
 
“The beer starts to get out of control. Gimme a STR roll to hold onto the beer.”
 
 
Overheard at the Serenity table: “Next time, Captain, we should bring the porn onboard.”
Players at my table turn around with: “So, who’s playing Jayne?” and “We’ll be in our bunks.”
 
 
And lastly from my beloved, who supports my weird hobby even if she doesn’t understand it, as I left for the con:
“Have fun with the other... imponderables.”

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
Somewhat HERO-System-specific humor:
 
WITCH HAZEL: "Shasta, if you get Knocked Out while you're in your tree-form, I don't know how I'll be able to carry you off the ship."
 
SHASTA: "If I get Knocked Out, I revert to my humanoid form. It's not a Persistent Vegetative State."

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 

Favorite quotes from GenghisCon:


 
From my Champions game:
 
Illuminatus, the mystic (played by Bill Keyes): “It’s DARK SORCERY!”
Other player: “You said that when your hamburger came back underdone.”
 
 
Later, Illuminatus confronts Madame Diamond, a well-known celebrity psychic (think Shirley Maclaine meets Madame Cleo), who he’s convinced is a total fraud:
Madame Diamond: “DARK SORCERY is at work!”
Illuminatus: “Well...yeah okay.”
Madame Diamond: “We’re all in terrible danger!”
Illuminatus: “...Allright, I’ll give you that one, but...”
Madame Diamond: “And you need mystical protection.”
Iron Maiden: “Dude, she sounds just like you.”
 
 
Magnetica, a female PC (run by a very attractive female player) is searching an actress’ trailer for clues, but badly blows her PER roll. The player decides she got distracted by the actress’ lingere drawer.
Magnetica: “Ooo, she’s got some really nice stuff in here.” [Mimes holding up a teddie] “This would look great on me.”
GM: “You’re taller than she is; it’s a little short on you.”
Magnetica: “I don’t see that as a problem.”
The male players (and the GM) had a little trouble focusing on the scenario after that.
 
 
From BunnySue’s Pulp game:
 
As the goons with guns enter:
“I think you can get those 5 for a dollar at Wal-Mart.”
“The guns or the goons?”
 
 
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle (played by Yours Truly), who’s been forced into “civilized” clothes for a big reception:
“How am I supposed to fight in this? I can barely walk?”
Jane Greystoke: “Running in high heels is easy. *Stopping* in high heels is hard.”
 
 
After the GM’s description of the evil priestess in the chainmail bikini:
Player 1: “So can I assume she’s not wearing any armor?”
Player 2: [looking at the miniature] “If she is, it’s got one hell of an activation roll.”
 
 
From my Future Pulp SH game:
 
From the GM (me) as my laptop fails to boot up:
“Okay, we’re going to be doing some improvisation. More than usual, that is.”
 
 
From a 7-year-old player, after reading his character’s background:
“I grew up on the streets?” [pause] “COOOL!”
 
 
Same player, after the PCs contemptuously bat aside all my surface-to-air missiles (which in my playtests, blew up their ship every time):
“That’s it? Shoot some more missiles, it’s fun.”
 
 
Ghost-Angel: “I’m a pulp heroine who just got knocked out; it doesn’t get more genre than that.”
 
 
From Bill Keyes’ Arabian Nights FH game:
 
 
Following one-too-many Star Wars references:
Me: “Let’s stay in this universe, it’s better written.”
Darnet: “And none of us are CGI.”
JCFiala: [raises hand] “I am.”
 
 
Bad Guy: “You hurt me!”
Ghost-Angel: “Don’t be evil.”
 
 
As we prepare to assault the castle of my father, the Evil Sorceror:
Player: “I think you have some parental issues.”
Me: “Not for long...”
 
 
As we burst into the villain’s throne room:
Villain: “I’m on the throne, do you mind?”
 
 
From Bill’s Teen Titans game:
 
A young girl was playing Raven, whose character sheet included the Disad “Freaky Goth Chick.” That player’s mother – who IS a Freaky Goth Chick – looks over and says “Hey, who says that’s a disadvantage?”
 
 
Me: “So am I really the only one in this room who’s never seen the cartoon?”
Other Player: “And you call yourself a geek.”
 
Following a really effective coordinated attack:
"Wow, teamwork really pays off."
"And that, kids, is the moral of today's story..."
 
 
From an Arcanis (fantasy) game:
 
Following a REALLY good tracking roll:
“...and it has a poison bite. And black eyes.” Skeptical looks from the players. “OK, I suppose you couldn't get that from a tracking roll.”
 
 
“The fact that they spotted us tells me they have magic.”
“Really? The fact that they blew apart the tower with huge freaking lightning bolts tells ME they have magic.”
 
 
Various:
 
“If I was that cool, then I’d be that cool. But I’m not that cool.”
 
 
“The beer starts to get out of control. Gimme a STR roll to hold onto the beer.”
 
 
Overheard at the Serenity table: “Next time, Captain, we should bring the porn onboard.”
Players at my table turn around with: “So, who’s playing Jayne?” and “We’ll be in our bunks.”
 
 
And lastly from my beloved, who supports my weird hobby even if she doesn’t understand it, as I left for the con:
“Have fun with the other... imponderables.”

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 

Favorite quotes from GenghisCon:


 
From my Champions game:
 
Illuminatus, the mystic (played by Bill Keyes): “It’s DARK SORCERY!”
Other player: “You said that when your hamburger came back underdone.”
 
 
Later, Illuminatus confronts Madame Diamond, a well-known celebrity psychic (think Shirley Maclaine meets Madame Cleo), who he’s convinced is a total fraud:
Madame Diamond: “DARK SORCERY is at work!”
Illuminatus: “Well...yeah okay.”
Madame Diamond: “We’re all in terrible danger!”
Illuminatus: “...Allright, I’ll give you that one, but...”
Madame Diamond: “And you need mystical protection.”
Iron Maiden: “Dude, she sounds just like you.”
 
 
Magnetica, a female PC (run by a very attractive female player) is searching an actress’ trailer for clues, but badly blows her PER roll. The player decides she got distracted by the actress’ lingere drawer.
Magnetica: “Ooo, she’s got some really nice stuff in here.” [Mimes holding up a teddie] “This would look great on me.”
GM: “You’re taller than she is; it’s a little short on you.”
Magnetica: “I don’t see that as a problem.”
The male players (and the GM) had a little trouble focusing on the scenario after that.
 
 
From BunnySue’s Pulp game:
 
As the goons with guns enter:
“I think you can get those 5 for a dollar at Wal-Mart.”
“The guns or the goons?”
 
 
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle (played by Yours Truly), who’s been forced into “civilized” clothes for a big reception:
“How am I supposed to fight in this? I can barely walk?”
Jane Greystoke: “Running in high heels is easy. *Stopping* in high heels is hard.”
 
 
After the GM’s description of the evil priestess in the chainmail bikini:
Player 1: “So can I assume she’s not wearing any armor?”
Player 2: [looking at the miniature] “If she is, it’s got one hell of an activation roll.”
 
 
From my Future Pulp SH game:
 
From the GM (me) as my laptop fails to boot up:
“Okay, we’re going to be doing some improvisation. More than usual, that is.”
 
 
From a 7-year-old player, after reading his character’s background:
“I grew up on the streets?” [pause] “COOOL!”
 
 
Same player, after the PCs contemptuously bat aside all my surface-to-air missiles (which in my playtests, blew up their ship every time):
“That’s it? Shoot some more missiles, it’s fun.”
 
 
Ghost-Angel: “I’m a pulp heroine who just got knocked out; it doesn’t get more genre than that.”
 
 
From Bill Keyes’ Arabian Nights FH game:
 
 
Following one-too-many Star Wars references:
Me: “Let’s stay in this universe, it’s better written.”
Darnet: “And none of us are CGI.”
JCFiala: [raises hand] “I am.”
 
 
Bad Guy: “You hurt me!”
Ghost-Angel: “Don’t be evil.”
 
 
As we prepare to assault the castle of my father, the Evil Sorceror:
Player: “I think you have some parental issues.”
Me: “Not for long...”
 
 
As we burst into the villain’s throne room:
Villain: “I’m on the throne, do you mind?”
 
 
From Bill’s Teen Titans game:
 
A young girl was playing Raven, whose character sheet included the Disad “Freaky Goth Chick.” That player’s mother – who IS a Freaky Goth Chick – looks over and says “Hey, who says that’s a disadvantage?”
 
 
Me: “So am I really the only one in this room who’s never seen the cartoon?”
Other Player: “And you call yourself a geek.”
 
Following a really effective coordinated attack:
"Wow, teamwork really pays off."
"And that, kids, is the moral of today's story..."
 
 
From an Arcanis (fantasy) game:
 
Following a REALLY good tracking roll:
“...and it has a poison bite. And black eyes.” Skeptical looks from the players. “OK, I suppose you couldn't get that from a tracking roll.”
 
 
“The fact that they spotted us tells me they have magic.”
“Really? The fact that they blew apart the tower with huge freaking lightning bolts tells ME they have magic.”
 
 
Various:
 
“If I was that cool, then I’d be that cool. But I’m not that cool.”
 
 
“The beer starts to get out of control. Gimme a STR roll to hold onto the beer.”
 
 
Overheard at the Serenity table: “Next time, Captain, we should bring the porn onboard.”
Players at my table turn around with: “So, who’s playing Jayne?” and “We’ll be in our bunks.”
 
 
And lastly from my beloved, who supports my weird hobby even if she doesn’t understand it, as I left for the con:
“Have fun with the other... imponderables.”

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 

Favorite quotes from GenghisCon:


 
From my Champions game:
 
Illuminatus, the mystic (played by Bill Keyes): “It’s DARK SORCERY!”
Other player: “You said that when your hamburger came back underdone.”
 
 
Later, Illuminatus confronts Madame Diamond, a well-known celebrity psychic (think Shirley Maclaine meets Madame Cleo), who he’s convinced is a total fraud:
Madame Diamond: “DARK SORCERY is at work!”
Illuminatus: “Well...yeah okay.”
Madame Diamond: “We’re all in terrible danger!”
Illuminatus: “...Allright, I’ll give you that one, but...”
Madame Diamond: “And you need mystical protection.”
Iron Maiden: “Dude, she sounds just like you.”
 
 
Magnetica, a female PC (run by a very attractive female player) is searching an actress’ trailer for clues, but badly blows her PER roll. The player decides she got distracted by the actress’ lingere drawer.
Magnetica: “Ooo, she’s got some really nice stuff in here.” [Mimes holding up a teddie] “This would look great on me.”
GM: “You’re taller than she is; it’s a little short on you.”
Magnetica: “I don’t see that as a problem.”
The male players (and the GM) had a little trouble focusing on the scenario after that.
 
 
From BunnySue’s Pulp game:
 
As the goons with guns enter:
“I think you can get those 5 for a dollar at Wal-Mart.”
“The guns or the goons?”
 
 
Sheena, Queen of the Jungle (played by Yours Truly), who’s been forced into “civilized” clothes for a big reception:
“How am I supposed to fight in this? I can barely walk?”
Jane Greystoke: “Running in high heels is easy. *Stopping* in high heels is hard.”
 
 
After the GM’s description of the evil priestess in the chainmail bikini:
Player 1: “So can I assume she’s not wearing any armor?”
Player 2: [looking at the miniature] “If she is, it’s got one hell of an activation roll.”
 
 
From my Future Pulp SH game:
 
From the GM (me) as my laptop fails to boot up:
“Okay, we’re going to be doing some improvisation. More than usual, that is.”
 
 
From a 7-year-old player, after reading his character’s background:
“I grew up on the streets?” [pause] “COOOL!”
 
 
Same player, after the PCs contemptuously bat aside all my surface-to-air missiles (which in my playtests, blew up their ship every time):
“That’s it? Shoot some more missiles, it’s fun.”
 
 
Ghost-Angel: “I’m a pulp heroine who just got knocked out; it doesn’t get more genre than that.”
 
 
From Bill Keyes’ Arabian Nights FH game:
 
 
Following one-too-many Star Wars references:
Me: “Let’s stay in this universe, it’s better written.”
Darnet: “And none of us are CGI.”
JCFiala: [raises hand] “I am.”
 
 
Bad Guy: “You hurt me!”
Ghost-Angel: “Don’t be evil.”
 
 
As we prepare to assault the castle of my father, the Evil Sorceror:
Player: “I think you have some parental issues.”
Me: “Not for long...”
 
 
As we burst into the villain’s throne room:
Villain: “I’m on the throne, do you mind?”
 
 
From Bill’s Teen Titans game:
 
A young girl was playing Raven, whose character sheet included the Disad “Freaky Goth Chick.” That player’s mother – who IS a Freaky Goth Chick – looks over and says “Hey, who says that’s a disadvantage?”
 
 
Me: “So am I really the only one in this room who’s never seen the cartoon?”
Other Player: “And you call yourself a geek.”
 
Following a really effective coordinated attack:
"Wow, teamwork really pays off."
"And that, kids, is the moral of today's story..."
 
 
From an Arcanis (fantasy) game:
 
Following a REALLY good tracking roll:
“...and it has a poison bite. And black eyes.” Skeptical looks from the players. “OK, I suppose you couldn't get that from a tracking roll.”
 
 
“The fact that they spotted us tells me they have magic.”
“Really? The fact that they blew apart the tower with huge freaking lightning bolts tells ME they have magic.”
 
 
Various:
 
“If I was that cool, then I’d be that cool. But I’m not that cool.”
 
 
“The beer starts to get out of control. Gimme a STR roll to hold onto the beer.”
 
 
Overheard at the Serenity table: “Next time, Captain, we should bring the porn onboard.”
Players at my table turn around with: “So, who’s playing Jayne?” and “We’ll be in our bunks.”
 
 
And lastly from my beloved, who supports my weird hobby even if she doesn’t understand it, as I left for the con:
“Have fun with the other... imponderables.”

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
From my weekly hero game, LCotMU:
 
All the heroes come from an asylum, they've been
raised by the state and are slowly being reintegrated
and rehabilitated for society.
therefore, I told players to buy psych disads appropriately.
 
So on intro night, I went through everyone's disads,
and all were sufficently edgy. Until we get to the energy projector...
 
GM: What are your psych problems?
 
EP: Well I've got code against killing, and I'm commited to
truth, justice and the american way.
 
GM: Congratulations, you've been released from the asylum, fully healed.
Now make up a new character . . .

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
I was running my Zombie Apocalypse game, with several long-time friends.
 
The three PC's and one NPC are on the top of a sporting goods store that they and their survivor group has been holed up in for a couple of days, as they prep to leave L.A.
 
The three PC's are Jordan, a gorgeous LAPD "kiddie cop" (think of Eliza Dushku in the LAPD uniform. Now youre on track), Eric, a recently-graduated high-school athletic star who was about to turn pro before the world ended (looks like Tom Welling), and Gabriel, a six foot ten EMT ambulance driver (who looks like Abraham Benrubi). The NPC with them is most often referred to as "Conspiracy Man", and goes only by the name of Ed. Despite a few comments about the "alien overlords" and the "flouride mind-control policy", they nevertheless gave Ed a rifle, as they had just raided a pawn shop, and his oddly useful skill-set was instrumental in their success. (They suspect he is ex military, and has seen too much).
 
The group has recently discovered that there are a few more survivors trapped on the fourht floor of a building about a block away from their own hideout. The people trapped in the office building have smashed out a window and hung a sign out of it written on a drape that says "Help Us".
 
As the characters are deciding what to do next, the sounds of gunfire erupt from a rooftop a few buildings away. The characters look around, and realize that it is coming from four gang-banger types who are taking shots at the "Help Us" sign, and the people behind it. (These are people with the same mentality as those who were shooting at police, ambulances, and fire fighters during the L.A.riots).
 
Jordan, the cop, is the first to spot the perps. She aims her rifle at them. The others follow suit. I tell them that one is shooting, another has a rifle also, and there are two others with pistols besides. They look like they are in their early twenties, of mixed ethnicity, and are wearing loose clothes with alot of sports team endorsements. Jordan makes a Perception roll and recognizes them as wearing local gang colors.
 
Ed: Firing order?
 
Jordan: Im taking down the shooter.
 
Ed: Ill take the other one who has a rifle.
 
Eric and Gabriel's Players both indicate they are also going to fire. I ask them to pick targets. And then...
 
Gabriel's Player: Ill shoot whichever one has the most underwear showing.
 
 
 
 
After we all finally stopped laughing, Garbiel then proceeded to randomly hit the unlucky s.o.b. in Location 13. For near-max damag,e and maximum Stun.
 
I guess Gabriel -really- didnt want to see that guys underwear!
 
(Edit: If this post accidentally offends anyone out there who habitually "busts a sag"... TOUGH! Pull your gorram pants up!)

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
Something just made my brain click onto this exchange from a con game a few months back.
 
As we go into the final battle, the Master Villain is revealed to be... my character's Evil Twin Brother! Naturally, we square off. As we close to HtH range:
 
Brother: "Dad always thought you were better than me!"
Me: "Dad was right!"
 
After which, he crit'ed me across the room, and I spent the next couple turns digging myself out of the wall
 
 
bigdamnhero
"When someone asks if you're a God, you say Yes!"

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...
 
Something just made my brain click onto this exchange from a con game a few months back.
 
As we go into the final battle, the Master Villain is revealed to be... my character's Evil Twin Brother! Naturally, we square off. As we close to HtH range:
 
Brother: "Dad always thought you were better than me!"
Me: "Dad was right!"
 
After which, he crit'ed me across the room, and I spent the next couple turns digging myself out of the wall
 
 
bigdamnhero
"When someone asks if you're a God, you say Yes!"

Re: Quote of the Week from my gaming group...